Friday, September 29, 2017

Flyers from the region has started patronising Air India which has reported 25 per cent increase in flow of passengers ex-Sonegaon Airport in city. Air India operates three direct flights from Dr Babasaheb International Airport on daily basis on the domestic circuit. Two flights are for Mumbai and one flies to New Delhi and the increase in passenger segments showcases that people are preferring air travel.

Air India’s two flights to Mumbai operate with 122 seats and 180 seats while that for Delhi, it operates with 150 seats. City-based Abhay Kolarkar had sought data from Air India under Right to Information Act (RTI) wherein it revealed that the current number of travellers stands around 1,02,379 for year 2016-17 (current year is half way through). In year 2012-13 the travellers who flew out of Sonegaon using Air India numbered 79,730 which, however, dipped the following years to 72,612.

However, thereafter, during last three years, there has been steady increase in terms of passengers who patronised Air India. In year 2014-15, the number of passengers was 86,486 and the next year in 2015-16 it increased to 1,05,620.

Now, that Maharashtra Government has taken over operations of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, it would soon be modernised to increase its intake capacity. Once the expansion work gets completed then direct international flights from city would increase thus establish the city as much sought after tourist destination.
29/09/17 Hitavada